Single Spouse Officership

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Frequently Asked Questions About
Single Spouse Officership
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What is Single Spouse Officership?
Single Spouse Officership (SSO) refers to an
active officer of The Salvation Army who is
married to a non-officer or a retired officer.
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• There are seven different scenarios
• where SSO is possible
• the training and commissioning of only one
  spouse
• 2) the reacceptance of only one spouse of a
  former officer couple
• 3) the reacceptance of a former single officer
  who has married since leaving officership

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4) the voluntary resignation of one spouse of an
officer couple 5) a present officer choosing to
marry a non-officer 6) an officer remaining
active while his/her officer spouse retires at
normal retirement age and 7) an officer
remaining active while his/her officer spouse
retires before normal retirement age.
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Why is Single Spouse Officership being offered?
SSO celebrates individual calling to ministry and
offers more flexibility and choice to those
considering officership. The SSO retirement
option facilitates continuance of service by an
active officer when his/her officer spouse
retires at normal age or retires early.
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The married officer model of servicewhere both
spouses are equally called, trained, ordained and
commissionedhas been a great strength to the
Army and will continue to be encouraged and
endorsed.
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When will Single Spouse Officership be offered?
In July 2005 The Salvation Army International
Headquarters approved SSO as policy for the
Canada and Bermuda Territory. Extensive input
and dialogue on this concept has prepared this
territory to launch SSO in May 2006.
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What is the application process?
The application process starts with a written
request to the Divisional Commander or Department
Head asking for consideration as a single spouse
officer. An interview with the applicant and the
non-applicant spouse (or spouse to be) will then
be arranged.
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Divisional Commanders and Department Heads will
provide a copy of the Manual of Guidance for
Single Spouse Applicants to interested persons
when an interview date is established.
This manual will address questions and detail the
application process.
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Officers who are currently in active service and
former officers should not assume that
application for SSO will be approved
automatically. A significant review will be part
of the application process.
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What will be the role of the non-officer
spouse?
The non-officer/retired officer spouse will
possess a thorough understanding of The Salvation
Army, its mission and values and its officer
appointment system. The nature of officership as
a spiritual covenant rather than a contract with
The Salvation Army must be understood and
affirmed.
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The non officer/retired officer spouse must sign
a declaration of support for the officer
spouses ministry and a willingness to relocate
with the officer spouse as part of the Armys
appointment process.
He/she must be a senior soldier of The Salvation
Army in good standing and share the same
commitment as his/her officer spouse to The
Armys mission, values, beliefs and lifestyle.
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It is hoped that this exciting new initiative
will broaden access to officership by addressing
unique situations that will enhance the mission
of The Salvation Army in this territory.
May God continue to bless the ministry of The
Salvation Army.